The Maverick & the Manhattanite

“I have evidence that suggests otherwise,” he said in a dry tone.

“I’ll have you know that’s the only automobile accident I’ve ever had,” she told him.

“Because you usually take cabs or the subway,” he said.

“It’s not going to snow every day,” she argued.

“We’ll get some more weather before you know it. Then what will you do?”

“What everyone else does,” she said. “Soldier through.”

“Sweetheart, trust me on this,” he said. “You don’t need to be tearing up the back roads of Rust Creek Falls. I don’t want to have to rescue you from a ditch or worse.”

“One accident and you talk as if I’m completely incompetent,” she said. “As if I can’t learn how to drive in the snow. You know something, Sheriff Gage Christensen? You are a condescending jerk,” she said and walked away.

Fuming all the way back to the rooming house, she climbed the stairs and decided to work from her room today. She could start scheduling the activities of the group of volunteers that would be arriving soon. Sipping hot chocolate, she made calls to the church, where the volunteers would be staying overnight on cots. She double-checked the availability of blankets and linens and was pleased to learn that the community would help prepare some meals for the volunteers.

Lissa contacted the first group of citizens she would be helping. All of them were excited to be receiving assistance. One young mother had been forced to toss all of her children’s stuffed animals and favorite comforters due to mold. Lissa added those to the list of things she would do her best to replace.

She skipped lunch, working through it instead, doing her best to avoid thinking about Gage. Oh, how he seemed to know exactly how to upset her and make her feel useless. She would show him. What made it worse was that Gage seemed to be so kind to everyone else. What had she done to make him dislike her so much? Except for driving into a ditch, she thought and frowned.

A knock sounded at her bedroom door. “Lissa, this is Melba. You have a visitor.”

Curious, Lissa jumped to her feet and swung open the door. “Visitor? Who is it?”

Melba’s lip twitched with humor. “Head on down to the front door and you’ll find out soon enough.”

Lissa followed the older woman down the stairs until Melba stepped aside and waved her hand toward the front door. “Go ahead.”

Even more curious now, Lissa opened the door to find Gage standing on the front porch. She stared at him in surprise. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

He gave a wry grin that was somehow too sexy for words. “Now is that any way to greet a guy who brought you flowers?” he asked and presented her with a fistful of flowers he’d hidden behind his back.

Shock and pleasure raced through her. “Wow,” she said. “I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s a first,” he muttered.

Lissa frowned at him and seriously considered giving back the flowers.

Gage lifted his hands. “Hold on. I’m here to apologize. You’re right. I’ve been acting like a jerk lately.”

Lissa dropped her jaw, shocked for the second time.

He sighed. “I haven’t been myself since the flood. I shouldn’t have—” He cleared his throat. “Kissed you and then taken out my frustration on you. It wasn’t fair. If I act like a jerk again, I give you permission to haul off and slug me.”

“Oh, I have to confess I’ve imagined what it would be like to haul off and slug you, but the kiss,” she said with a laugh. “The kiss wasn’t bad.”

He blinked then shot her a smile so charming it took her breath away. “Let’s start over. Hi. I’m Sheriff Gage Christensen,” he said and extended his hand. “And you are?”

She couldn’t resist returning his smile and his handshake. “I’m Lissa Roarke. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“I’m gonna make sure it’s very nice to know you,” Gage said.

Lissa felt a funny little twirling sensation in her stomach. “I look forward to that,” she said, and she really did.

* * *

The next morning, she walked to the sheriff’s office and sat at the desk she’d been given in the corner of the front room. She made a list of the calls she planned to make. She was getting excited that the first volunteers would be arriving soon and she could do more than plan. Soon, she would be able to make those promised repairs happen.

A few seconds into her work, a coffee cup and muffin appeared in front of her. She looked up, surprised to find Gage delivering the caffeine and sugar. “Thank you very much. How did I rate this?”

“You’re overdue. You rated it before you got here. Though you might not have any room for that muffin if Melba fed you before you left,” he said.

“I’ve learned how to scoot out the back door if I don’t want a full country breakfast. Some mornings, it’s the most delicious splurge in the world. Other mornings, I don’t want that much food.”

Gage chuckled. “In my world, I’d love to have that kind of breakfast every day. But maybe not having it’s for the best.”

Lissa took a big bite of the muffin and chewed on the pastry.

“Looks good,” Gage said in approval.

“It is,” she said and took another big bite of the muffin.

“Gage,” the dispatcher called from across the room. “Harry Leonard’s lawn ornaments were stolen again.”

Gage groaned. “Somebody needs to give his neighbors’ teenage kids something to do. Looks like I may have to be the one. Tell him I’ll be right over.” He turned back to Lissa. “Let me know if you need anything. Will is escorting a prisoner to Livingston.”